STOCKTON (California) RECORD

April 30, 2006

Migrant care event group's last
Su Salud hosts final Tour of Life at camp

Joe Goldeen
Record Staff Writer
 

LODI - Delia Cortez had little idea of the forces at work that made Saturday's final Su Salud Tour of Life event possible.

All the migrant farm worker's wife and mother of two young boys knew was that she has a responsibility to take care of her and her family's health, and Su Salud provides her with free screenings, immunizations, information on health topics and low-cost insurance, and follow-up classes.

For that, she expressed gratitude, especially to the 227 doctors, dentists, nurses, allied health professionals, students and others who volunteered their time and services at the Harney Lane Migrant Labor Camp east of Lodi.
"We don't have insurance. They have to know that what they do is very good. I think they have a big heart, because they are volunteers," said Cortez, 34, while standing in line waiting for one of eight stations where she was interviewed on her health history and knowledge. She was also weighed, measured, tested for cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure, and examined for cavities and dental disease.

Saturday was bittersweet for Su Salud guiding spirit and co-founder Guillermo Vicuña, a retired Stockton dentist who played a pivotal role in developing the health-education and disease-prevention concepts that have been a hallmark of the grass-roots organization for all of its 23 years.

Last month, Vicuña announced that Su Salud will cease operations in June at the conclusion of four two-hour health classes for the 150 migrant farm women selected Saturday to be part of an ongoing research study.

The study is examining the effects health education has on the women and their children as they become better managers of their health. It also aims to reduce their dependence on expensive clinical intervention, such as trips to a hospital emergency room, because they do not have access to traditional health care.

According to Vicuña, there is already evidence that the program works, based on women who have completed the education and report they've incorporated regular exercise and healthier diets into their daily routines.

"These women are losing weight, dropping cholesterol, blood sugar and blood pressure as well as doing a self-breast exam, and they are asking for more classes," Vicuña said.

After most of the women had been screened, Vicuña made a short presentation in the parking lot of the labor camp, thanking his fellow co-founders and the hundreds of volunteers - many of whom had been with him for years - who came from University of the Pacific, San Joaquin Delta College, Kaiser Permanente, San Joaquin General Hospital, Catholic Charities and Health Plan of San Joaquin, plus businesses and individuals for all their contributions.

He talked about a recent victory - the implementation of a wellness program that offers program graduates primary, preventive and emergency care as well as prescription drugs for a $5 co-pay at the county hospital for a year - and was greeted with numerous cheers, hugs and tears at the conclusion.

Vicuña's son Leandro, who took on the presidency of Su Salud last summer after failing health forced the senior Vicuña to step back, called the day "very special, truly a miracle."

"We are in the business of changing people's behavior, and what we do here today will reduce health-care costs. If this can work in San Joaquin County, it can work anywhere," he said.

Cortez, who has split her life between the Lodi migrant camp and her home in Michoacan, Mexico, for the past 12 years, has most certainly been affected by Su Salud's efforts.

"I went through all the classes last year. I learned a lot," she said. "I know it is good for my family to exercise and eat healthy. We need to brush our teeth and floss. I didn't know about that before."

True to his philosophy of creating simple messages that pack a wallop - such as "to prevent is to cure" and "education, not medication" - Vicuña said of Saturday's event, "The only thing we are saying today is thank you and goodbye."